Magazine plug for firearms



latentecl Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE MAGAZINE PLUG FOR FIREARMS poration of Delaware Application January 31, 1950, Serial No. 141,382

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a capacity reducing plug for a magazine firearm intended to bring a multi-shot arm into compliance with the provisions of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and various State laws patterned thereon.

The hunting of migratory birds is quite apt to involve many long shots and, accordingly, most hunters of such game provide themselves with the most powerful loads available. At the same time, it is a relatively stationary sport since it involves long periods of waiting in boat or blind, and a light weight gun ofiers no particular advantage-is, in fact, a disadvantage since it contributes to recoil punishment by the heavy loads.

In Skeet" and trap shooting we also have a sport in which a light weight gun has no particular advantage and, although lighter loads are frequently used, the rapidity and quantity of shooting make recoil a bothersome problem. Although not restricted by statute, the game requires only a capacity of two shots.

In upland game hunting, a light weight gun has many advantages, for miles of walking over rough terrain are frequently involved. Shots are relatively infrequent and very heavy loads are used only occasionally-hence, recoil is not a serious problem. Only a relatively few States restrict the magazine capacity for this type of hunting.

Bearing in mind the conditions of the types of shooting above referred to, it is our object to produce a construction which will go another step along the road toward the universally desired single gun for all types of shooting.

More specifically, it is our object to produce a device for converting a light-weight magazine shotgun of standard capacity to a gun of limited magazine capacity and more favorable recoil characteristics.

It is a further object to improve the handling characteristics of a gun employed for long range shooting and the shooting games where a particular premium is placed upon an exceptionally smooth swing.

A further object is to produce a form of magazine plug which may be readily and conveniently removed for legitimate purposes, but which complies fully with the letter and the spirit of all legislation restricting magazine capacity. We have here particular reference to those portions of the statutes which are intended to make it impossible to circumvent the law by hunting with a full magazine and surreptitiously slipping in a plug only when the game warden approaches.

We contemplate that these objects can be best accomplished by the use of a heavy plug of a diameter completely filling the magazine and of a length sufficient to limit the magazine capacity to the legal two rounds which, with one in the chamber, makes three shots possible. By the use of a solid steel plug, a six and one-half pound twelve gauge gun can be readily converted to seven and one-quarter pounds with consequent improvement in recoil characteristics and in a flywheel effect which assists in producing the smoother swing essential for long range shots.

Ihe exact nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will become apparent from consideration of the specification referring to the attached drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the magazine without the plug.

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the plug in place.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference, it may be seen that the illustrated gun comprises the usual barrel l and magazine tube 2 upon which there is slidably mounted the foreend 3 of a slide actuated gun or which may be surrounded with the fixed fore-end of an autoloading gun. Within the magazine tube there are housed the usual follower 4 and magazine spring -5 retained in place in the five-shot arrangement shown in Fig. l by a magazine spring retainer 6. The particular gun design shown is arranged for take-down by removing the magazine cap I and sliding the barrel and the barrel guide ring 8 which is brazed thereto, forwardly ofi of the magazine tube.

Our invention comprises the solid metal plug 9 which is inserted into the magazine tube from the front end after removing the frictionally engaged magazine spring retainer. Alternatively, the magazine spring retainer may be left in place and forced down the tube ahead of the plug. The plug is preferably formed from a relatively heavy metal, steel having been found satisfactory, and is of such diameter as to snugly fit the magazine tube. The length is such as to serve as a positive stop for the magazine follower after two shells have been inserted in the magazine and to positively prevent the acceptance of a third shell in the magazine. For use with a slide-operated or autoloading gun having a detachable magazine cap as shown, it is preferable that the plug be flanged, as at I0, for clamping between the magazine cap and the end of the magazine tube, thus positively preventing rattling or shifting.

As added insurance that such a plug will not be used to circumvent the game laws, and to avoid inadvertent loss of the plug when the gun is taken the magazine cap and barrel to tak out the re-- taining screw and then the plug; The magazine spring retainer may then be replaced or, in. case it was pushed down the magazine tube ahead of the plug, may be returned to place by forcibly inserting four shells int-o the magazine. Although on the initial loading after removing the plug the last two shells will encounter increased resistance,

this resistance may be overcome by the force.

which can be exerted by the thumb upon the head of a shell.

For use in those States where a five-shot gun is prohibited and field conditions make a l weight gun desirable, this end may be achieved by the substitution of a light Wood plug of the same length, secured in th same manner or in any other convenient manner complying with the applicable regulations.

Although we have specifically illustrated only one preferred embodiment, itwill be obvious that equivalent constructions can be used. For an exact statement of the limits of our invention, reference may be had to the following claims :1

We claim:

1. The combination of a shotgun, having a tubular magazine beneath the; barrel containing a magazine spring and magazine follower, with a solid bar of metal having a density at-leas'ts'ubstantially as great as that of iron removabl-y secured in said tubular magazine in front of said spring and follower, said bar being formed to define a body portion having a cross-section at any point such as to substantially close the tubular magazine and having a length substantially greater than that of one loaded shot shell.

2. The combination of a shotgun, having a magazine tube beneath the barrel containing a magazine spring and magazine follower, with a solid bar removably secured insaid magazine'tube in front of said spring and follower, said bar being formed to define a body portion having a cross-section at any point such as to substantially completely close the magazine tube and havin a length substantially greater than th length of one loaded shot shell, said magazine tube bein formed to define a hole in a portion of the wall 7 thereof normally opposed by means integral with the barrel, said bar being formed to define a r dial threaded bore opposed to said hole, and said bar being removably secured in said tubular magazine by means including a screw seated in said threaded bore and extending at least partially through said. hole, said screw being inaccessible until exposed by the removal of the barrel and I said means integral therewith.

3. The combination of a take-down shotgun, having a tubular magazine containing a magazine spring and magazine follower, a removable barrel provided with a guide ring encircling said magazine, and a magazine "cap threadably engagin said. magazine and retaining the barrel thereon by engagement with said barrel guide ring; with a magazine plug comprising a solid bar of metal having a density at least substantially as great as iron, said bar being formed to define a cylindrical body having a cross-section such as to substantially' completely close the tubular magazine and having a length substantially greater than the length of one loaded shot shell, said bar being received in said tubular magazine and releasably retained therein by means including a radial screw engaged with said bar and passing at least partially through a portion of the tubular magazine embraced by said barrel guide ring when said shotgun is assembled for use.

4. The combination described in claim 3, said plug being additionally secured by means including a diametrally enlarged flange engaged between the front end face of said tubular magazine and said magazine cap.

GEORGE E. PINCKNEY.

PHILIP R. HASKELL.

1,033,408 Johnson July 23, 1912 1,034,122 Knous July 30, 1912 1,061,787 Simpson May 13, 1913 1,061,789 Tyler May 13, 191 2,026,252 Russell et a1 Dec. 31, 1935 2,129,729 Bliz'ard Sept. 13, 1938 

